A review on Colour, Material and Finish Design: meaning, state of the art and research perspective

This paper presents a literature review that investigates CMF (Colour, Material, Finish) design through academic research to understand its historical development and increasing importance in modern design theory. The current context demands aesthetic experiences that drive emotional engagement between consumers and products, thus making CMF design a strategic possibility. The multidisciplinary nature of this approach, which incorporates elements from psychology, materials science, ergonomics, and marketing, enables the design of meaningful product interactions and influences user perception. CMF design exists throughout professional practice but lacks sufficient academic research due to its complex nature, which creates fragmentation. This research conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA framework to analyse 113 relevant sources. The results were displayed according to thematic categories, examining their history, definitional complexity, constituent elements, and design processes. Research demonstrates that CMF design is crucial for enhancing product identity, improving the user experience, and fostering sustainable engagement through a balanced combination of visual, functional, and emotional dimensions. The research adds to academic knowledge about CMF design, demonstrating its ability to drive sustainable innovation. The aesthetic design of experiences through CMF fosters emotional bonds between users and products, leading to increased product durability and sustainable consumption patterns. Overall, CMF design lends itself well to integration with reflections on sustainability and as a possible driver in specific strategies for sustainable design.